National Republican., 1887-02-23
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT PRO TEN
PORE SHERMAN.
District of Columbia and Military
Academy-Appropria Bfils Passed
department of ARriculturo-Ocean
Mails-veto by the President Not Over
ridden.

In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Plumb
offered resolution asking the President to
communicate copies of letters Of June 8,
1886, and Sept. 20, 1886, Of the counsel of
A. II. Lazare in the matter Of the award
against the Republic of Hayti. Adopted.
The presiding officer presented the fol-
lowing:
To THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Senators: My Office as president pro tempore
Of the Scrate will necessarily terminate on
the Ilh OF March next with my present
venenco ofthe Senate, aud the public service
TO elect senator as president pro tempore
whose Term extends beyond that date, SO that
he may administer the oath of Office TO sena-
tors-elt ct and aid In the organization.
Therefore respectfully resign that position,
10 take effect at o'clock p. m. on Saturday
Peimit me, in doing 80, to express my heart
felt thanks for the uniform courtesy and for.
bearance shown me while in the discharge OF
JOINS SHERMAN.
The communication was ordered to be en-
tered In the journal and placed on file.
Mr.. Riddleberger offered O resolution for
the publication OF all the papers and docu.
ments on the Senate files relating to the
rejection of the nomination of James Q.
Matthews as recorder Of deeds for the Dis
tIict Of Columbia.
discussion upon this resolution Is given
elsewhere in to days REPUBLICAN,
The Senate then, at 2:15, proceeded to the
consideration Of the bill making appropria-
tioDs for the expenses Of the government OF
the District OF Columbia. 1.-The proceedings
are given elsewhere.
The bill making appropriations for the
military academy was then taken up, read,
and passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Miller, tho bill to
create the department of agriculture was
taken up.
Mr.. Mcpherson moved that It be post
poped and that the Pacific railroad resolu-
tion be taken up. Defcated-yeas, %;
nays, 33.
Mr.. Miller, referring to the programme OF
business agreed upon by committees of each
side, stated that the Pacific railroad meas
ure was on the programme Of both commit.
tees, but its order had not been agreed
upon. IL would, however, come up, because
the committees had agreed that 1t should be
considered.
Mr.. Harris remarked that the committee
on bis side Of the chamber had insisted upon
on early consideration Of the Pacific rail
road resolution, but the committee on the
other side had put It far down on the list.
Mr.. Nc 3herson said that the agricultural
department bill had been before the Senate
four successive years and had been rejected
every time; and yet, In the estimation OF
the Republican committee, and OF the sena-
tor from New York, that bill was OF more
importance than measure which would
cave to the government So, 500, 900 a year.
Mr.. Miller replied that the importance of
the agricultural department bill was recog-
nized by the whole country, and that, In
his opinion, the pleuro-p pneumonia bill III 1t
become law and was faithfully executed)
would save more to the country than ali
the money which the United States had
I'M tal m fha Trnipp poct0n rail nad nj
all other railroads combined.
After discussion as to the order OF busi-
ness, participated In by Messrs. Miller,
Van Wyck, Mcpherson, and Hoar, Mr..
Edmunds said that the Pacific railroad
resolution as 1t came from the House was
calculated (he would not say designed) to
prevent getting forward with the business
OF the Pacific railroads in definite and
decisive way. 1t was calculated to do pre-.
cisely what the railroad companies III they
did not want the matter determined deci-
cisively) would have wished. No matter
what old transactions an investigation might
bring out, nor how bad they were, that
would beEf no possible consequence to the
matter in hand. 1t would result in a delay
Of one, or two, or three years. The judiciary
committee, however, had amended the
House proposition so as to keep the investi-
cation within such limits as that II might
be accomplished in a reasonable time, aud
also by adding provisions that were Of real
consequence and importance pending
final disposition Of the matter. As theresa
tuition was reported back from the Judiciary
committee, he was for it-not on account
of the investigating part, which he
thought utterly useless, but because Of
other legislation In it. Therefore anybody
who supposed that he aud other senators
on bis side who had voted against the mo-
tion Of the senator from New Jersey did SO
with the idea of preventing action on that
matter was entirely mistaken.
Mr.. Miller then addressed the Senate In
explanation of the House bill "to enlarge
the powers and duties of the department
Of agriculture, and to create an executive
department to be known as the depart
ment Of agriculture and labor. He de-
clared that no more important measure
than this could come before Congress. 1t
seemed small measure OF relief to the
farming and laboring classes. 1t was
small measure Of relief. The committee
on agriculture felt that the bill did not,
perhaps, contain all that 1t might. But,
at this late stage of Congress, it was
thought wise not to propose to amend the
bill to any greater extent than the com.
mittee had proposed. After this execu-
could go on and add to Its powers.
The bill went overas unfinished business.
The House amendments to the sundry
civil bill were presented, and were, on
motion OF Mr. Allison, disagreed to in bulk,
and conference asked. Senators Allison,
Hale, and Beck were appointed conferees:
changing the boundaries OF the foucth col
lection districts Of Virginia was taken from
the calendar and passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Cullom the Senate (at
5:05) went into secret session, and (at 5,30)
adjourned.